Symptomatic Treatment of Brain Tumor Patients with Sodium Selenite, Oxygen, and
Other Supportive Measures
atients (16 women and 16 men) with brain tumors
previously treated conservatively by surgery, radiation, and/or
chemotherapy with typical symptoms of increased intracranial pressure were
consecutively enrolled to test the effects of pharmacological dosages of
sodium selenite in conjunction with other supportive therapies (biological
response modifiers, detoxification, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, oxygen
therapy). The rationale for the use of sodium selenite was that the
whole-blood selenium levels were subnormal in 70% of the patients on
admission. Patients also frequently presented abnormal levels of other
minerals, especially lowered sodium and elevated potassium levels, which
appears to be characteristic of brain tumor patients. Sodium selenite was
administered by infusion at dosage of 1 000 mcg Se in physiological
saline/d for 4-8 wk. In 76% of the patients, a definite, and in 24% a
slight improvement of the general condition and a decrease in symptoms,
such as nausea, emesis, headache, vertigo, instead gait,, speech
disorders, and Jacksonian seizures, were observed. In all treated
patients, improvement of erythrocyte, hemoglobin, and thrombocyte counts
were observed. Additional beneficial effects were noted in the patients
receiving the oxygen therapy. It is concluded that the sodium selenite can
be employed with oxygen therapy and other supportive measures in the
management of brain tumor patients. A Pakdaman Biol Trace Elem Res
1998;62:1-6
Copyright © 2003 Anamol Laboratories Ltd.
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